System for rupturing pod containing processing fluid for photographic material

ABSTRACT

A system for rupturing a pod having a weakened edge portion and containing processing fluid for photographic material and for expelling the fluid therefrom. The fluid filled pod is mounted adjacent a support surface and protected by a flexible cover plate. A rigid member is initially disposed between the cover plate and the support surface adjacent the end of the rupturable pod furtherest removed from the pod&#39;&#39;s weakened portion. Extending along the inside face of the cover plate is a rib which initially presses the section of the pod adjacent thereto against the support plate so that substantially no fluid is disposed within the pod between the rib and the support plate. The cover plate includes access openings whereby externally mounted force applying members may be introduced into the space between the cover plate and the support surface to displace the rod across the length of the pod. The cover plate is deflected by the rod during its displacement across the pod and at the same time presses the rod firmly against the pod. This system can advantageously be employed in a compact multi-purpose film handling cassette adapted to be inserted into a unique processorprojector unit containing the aforementioned force applying members.

United States Patent [191 Baker et al.

[11] 3,820,149 June 25, 1974 SYSTEM FOR RUPTURING POD CONTAINING PROCESSING FLUID FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL [75 Inventors: Philip G. Baker, Peabody; Gerald H. Cook, Lynnfield; Rogers 13. Downey, Lexington, all of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

Mass.

[22] Filed: June 1, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 258,844

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 838,783, July 3, 1969, Pat. No.

[51] Int. CL... G03d 3/16, 603d 5/02 [58] Field Of Search 95/13, 89 R, 90.5; 352/74, 352/130 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,449,626 9/1948 Suthann 352/74 3,483,809 12/1969 Schmidt et al. 95/89 R X 3,623,417 11/1971 Eloranta et al. 95/89 R 3,641,896 2/1972 Downey et a1. 95/13 3,641,909 2/1972 Baker 95/89 R 3,644,024 2/1972 Downey.. 352/130 Primary Examiner-Fred L. Braun 1571 ABSTRACT A system for rupturing a pod having a weakened edge portion and containing processing fluid for photographic material and for expelling the fluid therefrom. The fluid filled pod is mounted adjacent a support surface and protected by a flexible cover plate. A rigid member is initially disposed between the cover plate and the support surface adjacent the end of the rupturable pod furtherest removed from the pods weakened portion. Extending along the inside face of ,the cover plate is a rib which initially presses the section of the pod adjacent thereto against the support plate so that substantially no fluid is disposed within the pod between the rib and the support plate. The cover plate includes access openings whereby externally mounted force applying members may be introduced into the space between the cover plate and the support surface to displace the rod across the length of the pod. The cover plate is deflected by the rod during its displacement across the pod and at the same time presses the rod firmlyagainst the pod. This system can advantageously be employed in a compact multi-purpose film handling cassette adapted to be inserted into a unique processor-projector unit containing the aforementioned force applying members.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUNZ S i914 3 20 149 SHEU 1 BF 4 FlG.l

VMENTED 2 i974 SHEU R [If 4 FIG.6

This is a division of copending application Ser. No. 838,783, filed July 3, 1969, nOW Pat. NO. 3,687,05l.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ticularly, to an improved system for rupturing a pod containing processing fluid for photographic material.

2. Description of the Prior Art After motion picture film has been exposed in a camera, it has generally been the practice of the photographer to send the container of exposed film to a processing laboratory. At the laboratory the film is removed from the container and subjected to a series of operations in order to produce visible images from the images recorded thereon during the exposure operations. The fully developed film strip is then rewound onto a reel at the laboratory and returned to the user.

The extended delay normally incurred between the time exposed film is sent to the laboratory and returned ready for viewing has proved to be a significant inconvenience to the user and a source of great annoyance.

The field of still photography is no longer hampered by extensive periods of delay associated with the processing of exposed film. The impact on the public of the one-step photographic process employing diffusion transfer techniques is a matter of record and generally well known. The home still photographer can now enjoy the fruits of his efforts in a matter of seconds. This important convenience has been available to the amateur still photographer for many years.

Most recently, important technological advances have made it possible for the home photographer interested in motion pictures to enjoy this same convenience. Radically different systems have now been developed which permit the photographer himself to quickly and easily process and project a strip of motion picture film shortly after the pictures have been taken. Exemplary of such new and unique systems are those described in the following U.S.patents:

US Pat. No. lnventor(s) Date Issued Gerald H. Cook 3,593,643 Rogers ll. Dnwncy .Iuly 20. l)7l 164L909 Philip (i. linker I'Lh. l5. W73

3.595.157 Philip (i. Baker Gerald H. Cook July 27. l)7l Rogers B. Downey All of these patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Each of the systems described in the aforementioned patents most advantageously employ a cassette from which the film need not be removed during exposure, processing and projection operations.

In commercial and industrial operations, such rapid motion picture processing systems are not only an improvement as a matter of convenience, but have other important effects as well. For instance, motion picture newsreel programs can be presented on television to the viewing public shortly after events of interest have occurred and been photographed.

' In some of these new systems the processing fluid is initially stored in a dispensing container having an applicator, in some the processing fluid is initially stored in a frangible container from which it is later released into a reservoir of the cassette to facilitatethe processing operation, while in still others the processing fluid is initially stored in a rupturable pod from which it can be expelled into an applicator at the proper time. Considerable funds and effort are currently being expended to further improve and refine various features of these systems in order to reduce their cost, to further simplify the task of the operator, to improve their reliability, and to improve the quality of the final product. The present invention is directed to an improved system for protecting a rupturable processing fluid containing pod, for subsequently rupturing that pod and for expelling the fluid therefrom. This improved system is particularly well suited for use in a compact multi-purpose film handling cassette devised for insertion into a unique processor-projector unit, the overall system being adapted for operation by the photographer himself.

One of the objects of this invention,'therefore, is to provide an improved system for protecting a rupturable fluid containing pod from premature accidental rupture.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide an improved system for rupturing a fluid containing pod.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved system for incorporating a rupturable'processing fluid containing pod into a film handling cassette.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved film handling cassette incorporating a rupturable processing fluid containing pod and means for selectively rupturing that pod.

Also, an object of this invention is to provide a cassette of the type mentioned incorporating means for indicating to the operator when the processing fluid containing pod has been ruptured.

A further object of this invention is to provide apparatus for receiving cassettes of the type indicated and for cooperating with the pod rupturing means thereof to effect a rupturing of the pod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the same parts wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cutaway plan view of a compact multi-purpose motion picture film handling cassette embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the eassette illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cutaway plan view of the back face of the cassette of FIG. 1 illustrating the displaceable rigid member incorporated in the cassette in its original position and the operable relationship beate the cover plate and the pod. In this respect, the end tween that member and externally mounted force applying means;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the manner in which the rupturable pod is mounted within the cassette taken generally along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the manner in which the rupturable pod'and displaceable rigid member are initially mounted within the cassette taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the processor-projector unit embodying features of this invention illustrating the cassette of FIG. 1 positioned therein;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical view of the cassette receiving chamber of the processorprojector unit illustrated in FIG. 5 depicting the eassette of FIG. 1 about to be inserted thereinto;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional vertical view of an alternate embodiment of the cassette receiving chamber and pod rupturing means of the processor-projector unit of this invention illustrating the cassette of FIG. I mounted therein; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of the cassette of FIG. I mounted in the processor-projector unit of FIG. 8 taken along line 99 of FIG. 8.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of this invention briefly comprises a support member provided with a recessed portion adapted to receive a rupturable processing fluid filled pod having a weakened portion. The rupturable pod may be generally rectangular in configuration and relatively flat when filled with the processing fluid, with the weakened portion comprising a seal along one end thereof. When mounted in the aforementioned recessed portion of the support member, one of the rectangular faces of the pod is seated against a support surface. A flexible cover plate is connected to the support plate so as to overlie the pod positioned within the recessed portion. This flexible cover plate includes a rib centrally positioned with respect to the pod and extending therefrom against the pod so that substantially no fluid is disposed within the pod between the rib and the support surface. This arrangement prevents premature accidental rupturing of the pod. The rib extends a distance along the cover plate intermediate opposed ends of that plate, one end of the rib being positioned adjacent the weakened seal of the pod. In applications where it is necessary to enhance the flexible nature of the cover plate, the rib may be V-shaped in configuratron.

Intermediate the flexible cover plate-and the support surface adjacent the end of the pod furtherest removed from. the pods weakened seal, there is initially positioned a circular rod which extends the width of the pod in a direction parallel to the weakened seal. This rod is adapted to be displaced along the pod intemiediof the cover plates'rib adjacent the initial position of the rod within the recessed portion of the support plate is tapered to facilitate such displacement of the rod. The other end of the cover plates rib terminates sharply so that, once the rod has been displaced along the length of the rib, this end of the rib serves to prevent any subsequent displacement of the rod within the recessed portion of the support plate.

The flexible cover plate includes openings adjacent the initial position of the displaceable rod to permit an externally mounted force applying means to be introduced between the cover plate and the support surface to effect the aforementioned displacement of the rod. As the rod is displaced across the pod, it is pressed firmly against the pod by the cover plate. In this connection the cover plate is deflected outwardly away from the pod by the rod and, if necessary, externally mounted restraining means may be positioned to limit the extent to which the cover plate is permitted to be deflected. in a direction away from the pod. During its displacement, the rod first causes the pod to rupture and then the processing fluid to be expelled therefrom.

Visual access means are provided through the cover plate adjacent the final displaced position of the rod so that an operator can readily ascertain whether the pod contained within the recessed portion of the support film strip is initially coiled around the supply spool and, t

in reaching the takeup spool, passes across an applicator and an exposure and projection station. The applicator communicates with the weakened seal of the rupturable pod so that when the processing fluid is expelled from the pod it is fed to the applicator. A light reflecting element is positioned within the exposure and projection station with the film strip passing through that station intermediate of that element and a film gate of the cassette.

This film handling cassette is adapted to be first mounted in a camera for exposure operations. During these operations, the processing station is inoperative and the photosensitive film strip is progressively drawn across the film gate onto the takeup spool. After the picture taking process has been completed, the cassette may be withdrawn from the camera, and inserted into a specially configured processor-projector unit. This unit includes a pair of arms adapted to enter the eassette through the openings provided in its flexible cover plate during the insertion process to displace the rod along the cassettes rupturable pod. Restraining means of the processor-projector unit limit the deflection of the cassettes flexible plate during this insertion and pod rupturing operation.

Drive means of the processor-projector unit first engage the cassettes supply spool to return the exposed film strip from the takeup spool to the supply spool. During this operation, the exposed film strip passes across the applicator and draws processing fluid therefrom to form a uniform coating of the fluid along its entire surface. Drive means of the processor-projector unit engaging the cassette s takeup spool may then be energized to return the processed film strip across the cassettes film gate in front of the light reflecting element to the takeup spool for projection operations.

In an alternate embodiment of the processorprojector unit adapted to receive the cassette described above, the force applying members of that unit are initially disposed out of operable association with the eassettes displaceable rod when the cassette is first mounted in that unit. These force applying members are displaceably disposed within the processorprojector unit so that they may be subsequently selectively introduced into the cassette to effect a rupturing of the fluid filled pod.

In both of these embodiments of the processorprojector unit, an ejection spring is compressed by the cassette as it is introduced thereinto and a latch engages a recess of the cassette to retain the cassette therein against the force of that spring until it is desired to eject the cassette from that unit.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of this invention is illustrated as facilitating the application of a compatible processing fluid to a film structure which comprises both a photosensitive image-recording layer and an image-receiving layer in which a visible image may be formed by image-forming substances transferred by diffusion from the photosensitive layer without necessitating the subsequent removal of the processed photosensitive layer. This highly desirable type of film structure is made possible by a developed negative image having low covering power.

In typical silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal processes for the production of black-and-white images, a silver halide developer and a silver halide solvent are applied in an aqueous alkaline solution to a photoexposed silver halide stratum or emulsion where they develop exposed silver halide to silver and react with unreduced silver halide to form a soluble silver complex. This complex, in order to form a positive print, is transferred and reduced to silver on a silverreceptive stratum upon which the silver halide stratum has been superposed. It has generally been the practice, in the completion of this process, to separate the silverreceptive and silver halide strata in order to render the positive image visible, particularly when it is to be viewed in transmitted light.

However, as indicated above, the positive print may be rendered visible without separation of the silver halide and silver receptive strata. For example, the silver receptive stratum may be so constituted as to provide an unusually vigorous silver precipitating environment which causes the silver deposited upon it, in comparison with silver developed in the silver halide stratum, to possess very high covering power, i.e., opacity for a given mass of reduced silver. If the silver halide is in such a concentration as to give rise only when fully developed to a predetermined low maximum density, and if the silver complex is reduced to silver in a vigorous silver precipitating environment, the resulting negative and positive images in superposition provide a composite that presents a good image for projection purposes as long as the images are carried on a light-transmitting support. Since the silver halide stratum and the silver receptive stratum need not be separated, a simplication of the overall silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal process is achieved.

A composite film assembly of this type as well as processing compositions for producing a stable black-andwhite image which can be viewed by transmitted light without the necessity of removing the processed negative image-containing photosensitive layer is shown in prior US. Pat. No. 2,861,885 of Edwin H. Land which issued on Nov. 25, 1958. Other composite film assemblies capable of producing photographic records which can be exhibited in full color without the necessity of removing the processed photosensitive layer are shown in prior US. Pat. of Edwin H. Land Nos. 2,726,154 issued Dec. 6, 1955 and 2,944,894 issued July 12, 1960. All of these prior patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

However, it should be noted that the present invention is not directed to the chemistry by which visible images are formed in an exposed photosensitive material and/or formed in an image receiving stratum associated therewith. While the illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention are shown effecting the application of a compatible processing fluid to a film structure not requiring the removal of the photosensitive layer after visible. image formation is completed, the invention itself is also applicable for use with other types of processing fluids and film structures.

The illustrated preferred embodiments of this invention may best be understood by first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. As may be seen therein, a compact multi-purpose film handling cassette 10 is basically constituted by a pair of housing members 11 and 12 connected together to form an enclosed opaque housing. The housing member 12 is provided with a recessed portion 13 and a cover plate 14 which in combination define an enclosed section 15 separated from the main section 17 of the cassette 10.

Cut-out portions of the housing members 11 and 12 define an opening 18 through which image carrying light rays may enter and/or leave the cassette 10 and, further, through which an aperture plate of a camera or of a projector may be introduced into the cassette. In this embodiment, the cassette 10 is relatively flat and generally rectangular parallelepiped in configuration. A supply spool 20 and a takeup spool 22 are coplanarly mounted within section 17 of the cassette 10 for rotation about parallel axes. A strip of unexposed photographic material 24, of the type previously discussed and provided with perforations 25 and leaders affixed to the supply spool 20 and to the takeup spool 22, is initially substantially entirely coiled around the supply spool. Passing from the supply spool 20 to the takeup spool 22, the strip of photographic material 24 sequentially travels around idlers 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34. Advantageously, the idlers 30 and 32 are positioned in opposite comers or extremities of the cassette 10 on the same side of the supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22. Additionally, the idler 28 is advantageously positioned in the corner of the cassette 10 disposed on the other side of the supply spool 20 from the takeup spool 22 and on the opposite side of those spools from the idlers 30 and 32.

A rupturable pod 36 is positioned in the section of the cassette 10 adjacent the housing member 12. The nature of this pod, the manner in which it is mounted in the section 15 of the cassette 10 and the means by which it is ruptured will be described in considerable detail hereinafter. However, at this point, it should be noted that this pod 36 includes a weakened seal 38 connected to a fluid feeding device 40 provided with an exit orifice 42. This orifice 42 in turn communicates through an opening 44 in the housing member 12 with a fluid reservoir chamber 46 of a dispensing container 48. Extending from the dispensing container 48 is a rectangular projection 300 which defines an orifice through which processing fluid within the reservoir chamber 46 may be expressed from the dispensing container. One edge of the end of the projection 300 is formed with a taper 302, the purpose of which will subsequently become obvious.

Guide tracks 304 and 306 are formed in an outside face of the dispensing container 48 for purposes of slidably receiving an actuator 308. This actuator 308 is formed with a leaf spring 310, which engages the inside face of the wall 64 of the cassette 10 to firmly seat the actuator in the guide tracks 304 and 306, and further, with a tang 312 extending over and across the side of the dispensing container 48 from which the projection 300 extends. A circular aperture 314 in the actuator 308 is positioned in alignment with an elongated slot 316 passing through the cassettes wall 64 in order that an externally mounted force applying member may be received thereinto for purposes of effecting an upward displacement of the actuator along the guide tracks 304 and 306 from its position as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. One end of a strip of flexible material 328 is spring mounted to the structure of the cassette 10 while its other end is connected to the tang 312. This strip of flexible material 328 is disposed over the end of the rectangular projection 300 and includes an opening (not shown) positioned to be out of alignment with the orifice of that projection when disposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 1 and so as to be in alignment with that orifice when the actuator 308 is displaced to its upwardmost position along the guide tracks 304 and 306.

Additionally, a support plate 330 is pivotably connected between the ends of a uniquely configured U- shaped spring 332 mounted on the dispensing container 48. It will be noted that this U-shaped spring 332 includes an offset 334 adapted to be engaged by the tang 312 when it is positioned as shown in FIG. 1.

Intermediate the idlers 28 and 30, the strip of photographic material 24 is disposed between and in spaced apart relationship to the strip of flexible material 328 and the support plate 330. However, it will be appreciated that when the actuator 308 is displaced upwardly, the tang 312 is removed from contact with the offset 334 in the spring 332 thereby permitting the support plate 330 to slidably engage the strip of photographic material 24 against that section of the strip of flexible material 328 disposed across the projection 300. Thus, when the actuator 308 is in its position as shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing container 48 is sealed by the strip of flexible material 328 and the strip of photographic material 24 may be transported between and out of contact with that strip of flexible material and the support plate 330. Also, whenever the actuator 308 is moved upwardly along the guide tracks 304 and 306, the strip of flexible material 328 is displaced into an unsealing relationship with the dispensing container 48 and the support plate 330 slidably engages the strip of photographic material 24 against the strip of flexible material.

The rupturable pod 36 initially contains a quantity of processing fluid 58 (See FIG. 4) suitable to form visible images from images recorded on the film strip 24 during exposure operations. This particular type of rupturable pod-fluid feeding device-dispensing container system is the subject of aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,608,455. It should be noted that, in the preferred embodiment, the capacity of the reservoir chamber 46 of the dispensing container 48 is equivalent to or greater than that of the rupturable pod 36. For instance, it has been found that approximately 2cc. of processing fluid is suflicient to treat 50 feet of Super-8 format film.

I Under such conditions, the pod 36 would have a capacity of 2cc. and the capacity of the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 46 should be on the order of 2 to 2 /2 cc.

It will be appreciated that the application of a compressive force progressively along the length of the pod 36 towards its weakened seal 38 and across the fluid feeding device 40 will first effect a rupturing of the pod and then cause the processing fluid 58 to be expelled therefrom into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 46. Once the processing fluid 58 has been expelled into the reservoir chamber 46 and the actuator 308 displaced upwardly from its position shown in FIG. 1, transport of the film strip in a direction from the takeup spool 22 to the supply spool 20 will cause the film strip to draw processing fluid from the dispensing container 48 to form afluid coating therealong.

The thickness of the strip of flexible material 328 is determinative of the thickness of the fluid coating applied to the film strip 24 and the taper 302 provides a relatively sharp doctor blade for applying that coating to the film strip.

Mounted between the housing member 12 and a wall 64 of the housing member 11 is a light sealing arcuate member 66, one end of which is positioned against the dispensing container 48. The other end of the member 66 is connected to one end of a second light sealing arcuate member 68 which extends to within the vicinity of the idler 32. These arcuate members 66 and 68, in combination with the dispensing container 48, serve to effectively divide the section 17 of the cassette 10 into a first compartment 70 sealed in a lighttight manner from a second compartment 72. Additionally, it will be noted that in the illustrated preferred embodiment the supply spool 20, the light sealing arcuate member 66 and a wall 74 of the dispensing container 48 share a common center of curvature. Thus the arcuate member 66 and the wall 74 further serve to control the disposition of that portion of the film strip 24 coiled around the supply spool 20 within the cassette 10. Similarly, the takeup spool 22 and the light sealing arcuate mem ber 68 share a common center of curvature and, consequently, the arcuate member 68 serves to control the disposition of that portion of the film strip 24 coiled around the takeup spool within the cassette 10.

It should also be noted at this point that the wall 64 of the cassette 10 is provided with an opening 76 communicating with the aforementioned opening 18 of the cassette. As will subsequently become more apparent, this opening 76 permits light rays from an external light source to be introduced into the cassette 10 for film projection purposes.

As shown in FIG. 1, a resilient member 78 is connected to the inside face of the wall 64 by any suitable means, such as rivets 80, and extends over and in spaced relationship to the end surfaces 82 and 84 of the idlers 32 and 34, respectively. Provided in the wall 64 is an aperture 86 disposed over the resilient member 78 whereby an external force applying member may be selectively introduced into the cassette 10 to urge the resilient members end portions 88 and 90 into frictional engagement with the idlers 32 and 34, respectively, to restrain further rotational movement of those idlers. In order to effectively light seal the interior of the cassette 10, a ring 92 mounted on the resilient member 78 is coaxially disposed with respect to the aperture 86 and adapted to seat in an annular recess 94 of the wall 64.

Mounted within compartment 72 of the cassette 10 so as to be in alignment with the opening 18 is a pressure plate assembly 96 in which is mounted a light reflecting element 98. It will be noted that this light reflecting element 98 is disposed in operable relationship to both the opening 18 and the opening 76 of the cassette 10. In the preferred embodiment, the light reflecting element 98 is prismatic in nature and includes a concave light receiving transparent face 100 and a flat reflecting surface 102 which reflects light received into the element through the light receiving face 100 outwardly thereof through a convex transparent face 104.

The pressure plate assembly 96 includes a leaf spring 106 which seats against a boss 108 formed integrally with the housing member 12 to continually urge the pressure plate assembly towards the cassettes opening 18. The pressure plate assembly 96 is mounted within the cassette 10 so that it may be displaced inwardly of the cassette from the opening 18 when the aperture plate of a camera or a projector is positioned in operative relationship therewith. Forming part of the pressure plate assembly 96 is a mounting bracket 110 which serves to fixedly position the light reflecting element 98 with respect to the pressure plate assembly and, more particularly, with respect to an aperture 112 of that assembly. While the particular form of pressure plate assembly 96 and light reflecting element 98 do not constitute part of the present invention, they may advantageously take the form of the pressure plate assembly described in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,627,407 and of the light reflecting element described in the copending application Ser. No. 767,609 of Herbert A. Bing filed Oct. 15, 1968, now abandoned and replaced by Ser. No. 118,963 filed Sept. 25, 1971.

The spools 20 and 22 are respectively provided with fluted recesses 114 and 116 which are adapted to receive externally mounted drive means through apertures 115 and 117 appropriately provided through the cassettes wall 64. Thus the cassette 10 includes means for reversibly transporting the strip of photographic material 24 between the supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22 across the dispensing containers projection 380 and the pressure plate assembly 96. The

cassettes opening 18 constitutes a film gate adapted to serve as an exposure station during a first pass of the photosensitive film strip 24 across the pressure plate assembly 96 and as a projection station during subsequent operations in which the film strip, in a fully processed condition, is advanced from the supply spool 20 to the takeup spool 22.

Idler 30, around which the film strip 24 passes on its way from the supply spool 20 to the pressure plate assembly 96 may, if desired, be mounted on a movable post spring biased toward the corner which it occupies in the housing of the cassette 10 and capable of being moved resiliently inward away from that comer. Also, idler 32 may be spring biased toward the corner which it occupies in the housing of the cassette 10 and capable of being moved resiliently inward away from that corner. This reresents one way to minimize strain exerted on the film strip 24 by the conventional intermittent film advancement structure during these exposure and projection operations.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the housing member 12 is provided with a pair of channels 118 and 120 adjacent respective sides of its recessed portion 13 which are adapted to receive opposed edges 122 and 124, respectively, of the flexible cover plate 14. Additionally, the housing member 12 is provided with a channel 126 adapted to receive the cover plates edge 128. The other end 130 of the cover plate 14 curves around the adjacent edge of the rupturable pod 36 to seat against the frame member 12. A displaceable rigid member 132, which may be a circular bar or rod formed of a metal such as stainless steel, is initially positioned between the end 130 of the cover plate 14 and the frame member 12 adjacent the rupturable pod 36. The end 130 of the plate 14 includes a pair of openings 134 and 136, which in the illustrative embodiment are formed by corner cut-outs in that end of the plate, for a purpose which will subsequently become obvious. This plate 14 is formed with a V-shaped rib 138 extending from its inside face so as to initially bear against the pod 36 to displace the processing fluid 58 contained therein towards the opposed ends thereof away from the rib 138. Preferably the height of this rib 138 is such that substantially no processing fluid is initially disposed between that member and the support surface 140 of the housing member 12. Since the cover plate 14 is flexible, this arrangement prevents premature accidental rupturing of the pod 36 responsive to an external force bearing against the outside face of the cover plate. Altemately, the opposed walls of the pod 36 may be sealed together along a section thereof against which the rib 138 is adapted to initially seat.

It will be appreciated that the housing members 11 and 12, as well as various elements associated therewith, e.g., the light sealing members 66 and 68 and the boss 160, may, for example, be formed from a suitable thermoplastic resin, such as an acrylic or a polystyrene, in inexpensive injection molding processes. Similarly, the dispensing container 48 and the cover plate 14 may be formed by injection molding processes employing the same types of material. In order to facilitate the flexible nature of the cover plate 14, its edges 122 and 124 may be affixed to the housing member 12, as by ultrasonic welding, while its edge 128 and end 130 merely initially seat against the housing member 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the rib 138 is V-shaped thereby further facilitating the flexing of the cover plate 14 in a direction away from the pod 36. Obviously, in many applications the flexible characteristic of the material from which the cover plate 14 is formed will be adequate and the rib 138 need not be V-shaped. In such instances, the outside face of the cover plate 14 may present a continuously flat surface.

It will be noticed that one end of the V-shaped rib 138 is formed with a taper 142 while its other end 144 terminates in a sharp right angle turn. Additionally, the cover plate 14 has an aperture 146 passing therethrough adjacent the end 144 of the V-shaped rib 138. This aperture 146 provides visible access to the operator into the interior of the cassettes recessed portion 13. The purposes for these features will subsequently become apparent.

The rupturable pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 connected thereto may be formed of any suitable materials. Typically, the walls of the rupturable pod 36 may consist of an outer layer of pouch or glassine paper, an intermediate layer of lead foil and an inner liner 7 of polyvinylchloride material. The polyvinylchloride liners may be bonded together adjacent their edge portions to effect the sealing of the fluid filled cavity with the seal 38 being substantially weaker than the seals around the other edges of the pod 36. Typically, the walls of the fluid feeding device 40 may be formed of an outer layer of pouch or glassine paper bonded to an inner layer of polyethylene material. Again the polyethylene material layers may be bonded together where appropriate and also bonded to the outer layer of the walls of the pod 36 to connect the fluid feeding device to the pod. Preferably the outside surface of the assembly comprising the pod 36 and fluid feeding device 40 adjacent the support surface 140 is adhered thereto by any suitable means to fixedly position that assembly within the recess 13.

It will thus be appreciated that a pair of force applying arms 148 and 150 (see FlG. 3) may be introduced into the section of the cassette 10 through the openings 134 and 136, respectively, in the cover plate 14 so as to engage the rod 132 and to displace it from its original position, as shown in FIG. 3, along the assembly comprising the rupturable pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 41) to its position shown in phantom in that figure of the drawings. in the course of such a displacement of the rod 132, the taper 142 of the rib 138 facilitates the movement of the rod onto the rib, while the sharply angled configuration of the other end 144 of the rib serves to fixedly position the rod within the recess 13 once it has been displaced from its initial position to its position shown in phantom in FIG. 3. As the rod travels along the pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40, the cover plate 14 is deflected from its initial position to its position shown in phantom in FIGS. 4 and 5 of-the drawings. At the same time, the resilient force of the flexible cover plate 14 serves to firmly press the rod 132 against first the pod 36 and then the fluid feeding device 40. ln some applications this force will be insufficient by itself to effect a rupturing of the pod 36. Under such circumstances a restraining member may be positioned adjacent and in carefully spaced relationship to the outside face of the flexible cover plate 14. Such a restraining member serves to preclude the rod 132 from deflecting the plate 14 greater than a predetermined distance away from the pod 36 whereby the rod presses against the pod with sufficient force to rupture the pod and to cause the fluid 58 to be expelled therefrom into the reservoir chamber 46.

After the strip of photographic material 24 has been exposed with the cassette 10 mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) during its travel from the supply spool 20 onto the takeup spool 22, it is preferably processed and projected with the cassette mounted in a specially devised processor-projector unit 152 diagrammatically illustrated in part in F lGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings. As shown therein, the unit 152 includes a cassette receiving chamber 154 formed of interconnected support plates 156, 158, 160, 162 and 164. A plurality of elongated standoffs 166 mounted on the aforementioned support plates and extending from those plates interiorly of the cassette receiving cham her 154 serve to first guide the cassette 10 into that chamber and, once the cassette has been fully inserted thereinto, to support and align the cassette. Typically, the support plates 156, 158, 161), 162 and 164 are formed from a material such as stainless steel while the elongated standoffs 166 are formed from a polymeric material such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

Preferably, the cassette receiving chamber 154 is oriented within the processor-projector unit 152 so that the cassette 10 is inserted vertically downward thereinto (as viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7) through a slot (not shown) in the top panel 168 of that unit.

A pair of rigid arms 172 and 174, which may be formed integrally with the support plate 162, extend from the support plate 162 and curve upwardly into parallel relationship therewith. These arms 172 and 174 are positioned and configured to pass under a portion of the cassette 10 and into the openings 134 and 136, respectively, of the cassette s cover plate 14 when the cassette is fully inserted into the processorprojector unit 152. The length of these arms 172 and 174 is such that when the cassette has been seated against the standoffs 166 attached to the support plate 164, they have effected a displacement of the rod 132 from its initial position within the cassette to its position shown therein in phantom in FIGS. 3 and 7. The position of the arms 172 and 174 within the cassette 10 after the cassette has been fully inserted into the receiving chamber 154 of the processor-projector unit. 152 is shown in phantom in the illustration of the cassette in FIG. 7.

A roller 176 is mounted from the support plate 158 so as to engagethe outside face of the cassette s housing member 11 as the cassette 10 is inserted into the processor-projector units receiving chamber 154. The mounting arrangement for this roller 176 precludes displacement of the roller in a right or left handed direction as viewed in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Connected to the support plate 162 is a leaf spring 178 which extends over a cut-out portion 182 of that support plate and on which is mounted a second roller 180. The leaf spring 178 is initially seated against the outside face of the support plate 162 with the roller 180 extending through the cut-out portion 182 of that plate. These rollers 176 and 180 are positioned in vertical alignment with each other and the ends of the arms and 172, with the initial spacing therebetween being slightly greater than the distance between the outside faces of the cassettes cover plate 14 and housing member 11. As the cassette 10 is inserted into the processor-projector unit 152, the arms 172 and 174 effect a progressive displacement of the rod 132 across the rupturable pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 in the course of which displacement the cover plate 14 is deflected by the rod away from the pod 36. In deflecting, the cover plate 14 engages the peripheral surface of the roller 180 and effects a displacement of that roller in a left handed direction as viewed in FIG. 6 against the force exerted thereon by the spring 178. The strength of the spring 178 is such that the rod 132 is pressed against the pod 36 and fluid feeding device 40 with sufficient force to effect a rupturing of the pods weakened seal 38 and to expell the processing fluid 58 from the pod into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 46. Also, the spring 178 is designed so that it will exert a substantially constant force on the cassette s cover plate 14 regardless of the extent to which it is displaced by the cover plate. This arrangement, in combination with a rib 138 of substantial height, accommodates for acceptable manufacturing tolerances associated with the production of the cassette. More specifically, the fact that the rib 138 has a substantial height imparts a substantial amount of deflection to the cover plate 14 as the rod 132 is displaced within the cassette 10 and the initial positions of the rollers 176 and 180 permits cassettes of slightly varying thicknesses to be inserted therebetween. Thus, a predetermined force is exerted against pod 36 even though there may be slight differences between the thicknesses of the cassette 10 in which they are housed. During the deflection of the cover plate 14, the roller 176 serves to support the cassettes frame member 11 so that it is not distorted by the forces associated with the displacement of the rod 132. These rollers 176 and 180 may be formed of any suitable material such as nylon or hard rubber.

Extending through the processor-projector units support plate 164 is a telescoping container 184 comprising a first section 186 fixedly mounted to the support plate 164 and a second section 188 slideably disposed through the support plate 164. A compression spring 190 housed within the container 184 continually urges the two sections 186 and 184 of that container into their fully extended positions as shown in FIG. 7. Spring mounted from the processor-projector units support plate 162 and extending through an opening 194 therein, is a latch 196. This latch 196 is adapted to seat in a recess 192 provided in the outside face of the cassettes housing member 12 when the cassette 10 is fully inserted into the receiving chamber 154. The spring 196 terminates in a finger portion 198 which may be selectively engaged by conventional means (not shown in these figures of the drawing) extending through the processor-projector units top panel 168 to displace the spring in a direction away from the support plate 162 so that the latch 196 is disengaged from the cassettes recess 192.

It will thus be appreciated that the cassette 10 is inserted into the processor-projector units receiving chamber 154 against the force of the compression spring 190 causing the second section 188 of the telescoping container 184 to be displaced inwardly of the containers first section 186. Once the cassette 10 has been fully seated in the receiving chamber 154 of the processor-projector unit 152, the latch 196 enters the cassettes recess 192 to restrain the cassette in that unit against the force of the compressed spring 190. When the operator causes the spring 196 to be displaced in a direction away from the support plate 162, the latch 196 is withdrawn from the recess 192 and the spring will eject the cassette 10 from the processorprojector unit 152. It is preferred that this spring 190 be configured to displace the cassette 10 upwardly within the receiving chamber 154 to a position where it is easily accessible for manual removal from the unit 152, rather than to actually propel the cassette from that unit. However, it is to be understood that as used herein the terms ejecting, ejection, etc. are employed in a broad sense, i.e., to cover either of these situations.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT To summarize the operation of the preferred embodiment of this invention, the cassette 10 is initially furnished with substantially all of the film strip 24 in an unexposed condition coiled on the supply spool 20, the processing fluid 58 retained in the rupturable pod 36, the rod 132 disposed in its position shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings and with the film strip 24 positioned intermediate of, and in spaced relationship to, the projection 300 and the support'plate 330 (See FIG. 1). For exposure purposes, the cassette 10 is mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) with the drive means of the camera engaging the recess 116 of the takeup spool 22 through a friction clutching arrangement as is con ventional. While the particular camera employed does not form part of the present invention, it may advantageously take the form of that described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,071. It will be noted that the camera described in that application includes a door mounted pin which automatically enters the eassette 10 through its aperture 86 to snub the idlers 32 and 34 whenever the cassette is mounted therein. The aperture plate of the camera, which may also take a conventional form, operably engages the cassettes pressure plate assembly 96 to position the section of the film strip 24 disposed thereacross in the proper focal plane. Also, a conventional intermittent film advancement mechanism of the camera engages the perforations 25 of the film strip 24 to effect proper step advancement of the film strip along the pressure plate assembly 96. In this manner, the operator can selectively record images on the photosensitive film strip 24 as it traverses the cassettes opening 18 on its way from the supply spool 20 to the takeup spool 22. In the embodiment illustrated, the photosensitive surface of the film strip 24 faces inwardly of the cassette 10 such that exposure of the photosensitive emulsion is effected through the transparent film base. After the film strip 24 has been completely exposed, the cassette 10 can be quickly removed from the camera and replaced, when desired, by an identical cassette containing unexposed film.

The cassette 10 is now ready to be inserted into the unit 152 for processing and projection operations. During the process of inserting the cassette 10 into the processor-projector unit 152, the arms 172 and 174 of that unit automatically effect a displacement of rod 132 across the pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 resulting in a rupturing of the pod, the processing fluid 58 initially retained therein being expelled therefrom through the fluid feeding device into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 48. When the cassette has been seated against the standoffs 166 extending from the processor-projector units support plate 164, the latch 196 engages the cassettes recess 192 to re strain the cassette in the processor-projector unit 152 against the force exerted thereon by the telescoping container 184.

At this time a pin (not shown) of the processorprojector unit 152 is caused to be inserted into the eassette 10 through the elongated slot 316 to engage the circular aperture 314 of the actuator 308 and to displace that actuator into its position wherein the strip of flexible material 328 is disposed in an unsealing relationship to the dispensing container 48 and the support plate 330 engages the strip of photographic material 24 against the strip of flexible material. Also, at this time the fluted recesses 114 and 116 of the cassettes supply spool and takeup spool 22, respectively, are engaged by drive shafts 400 and 402 (See FIG. 6) slidably mounted in the processor-projector unit 152. These shafts 400 and 402 are connected in a conventional manner to a motor (not shown) in order to facilitate selective reversible transport of the film strip 24 between the supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22. As is conventional, the drive shaft which engages the takeup spool 22 is connected to the motor through a friction clutching arrangement. By now turning an appropriate switch, located on the control panel (riot shown) of the processor-projector unit 152, the exposed strip of material 24 is returned from the takeup spool 22 to the supply spool 20. During this sequence, the exposed photographic film strip 24 passes across the rectangular projection 300 and draws processing fluid 58 from the dispensing container 48 to form a uniform fluid coating along its entire length. In this respect, it will be noted that, with the cassette 10 inserted into the unit 152, the projection 300 is disposed at the lowermost point of the dispensing container 48 and the force of gravity causes processing fluid 58 to be continually fed towards the film strip 24 from the reservoir chamber 46.

The motor of the processor-projector unit 152 is automatically de-energized by conventional means (not shown) as soon as the entire length of exposed film strip 24 has been drawn across the projection 300 onto the supply spool 21). At this time, the pin of the processor-projector unit 152 engaging the cassettes actuator 308 should be withdrawn from the cassette 10 to permit the film strip 24 to return to a position where it is disposed out of contact with the strip of flexible material 328 and the support plate 330 and the strip of flexible material once again seals the dispensing container 48. Additionally, the operator should now effect a snubbing of the cassettes idlers 32 and 34. This may be accomplished by displacing a pin (not shown) mounted in the processor-projector unit adjacent the cassettes aperture 86 into engagement with the cassettes resilient member 78.

The processor-projector unit 152 also includes other conventional means not illustrated in the drawings associated with the projection of the visible images recorded on the fully processed film strip 24. These include an aperture plate and an intermittent film advancement mechanism positioned in operable relationship to the cassettes pressure plate assembly 96 through the cassette 5 opening 18 and a light source positioned in operable relationship to the cassettes opening 76. Additionally, such other conventional means include a shutter mechanism and a lens system. By now turning another switch located on the control panel of the processor-projector unit 152, that units light source and motor are simultaneously energized, in this instance the motor driving both the aforementioned intermittent film advancement mechanism of the unit 152 and the takeup spool 22 of the cassette 111. As the now fully processed film strip 24 is once again drawn across the cassettes opening 18 onto the takeup spool 22, visible images contained thereon are projected for viewing purposes. In this connection, the processorprojector units aperture plate acting against the cassettes pressure plate assembly 96 accurately positions the section of film strip 24 disposed therebetween at the proper film plane for projection purposes. Simultaneously, light rays from the light source of the processor-projector unit 152 enter the cassette 10 through its opening 76 and are redirected by the light reflecting element 98 through the aperture 112 in the pressure plate assembly 96 and the sections of the film strip 24 intermittently positioned thereover outwardly of the cassette through its opening 18. Again, conventional means (not shown) automatically de-energize the light source and motor of the processor-projector unit 152 once the visible images on the entire processed film strip 24 have been projected.

Preferably, the film strip 24 is returned from the takeup spool 22 to the supply spool 20 before removing the cassette 10 from the processor-projector unit 152. Removal of the cassette 10 from the processorprojector unit 152 is effected by deflecting the spring 193 so that the latch 196 connected thereto is disengaged from the cassettes recess 192. Once the latch 196 is removed from the recess 192, the force of the telescoping container 184 acting against the cassette 10 automatically ejects the cassette from the processorprojector unit 152.

The cassette 10 may be stored in this condition until it is once again desired to view the fully processed film strip 24 retained therein. In this respect, the operator may readily determine whether the film strip 24 within a particular cassette 10 has been processed. As previously indicated, if the rod 132 is visible through the aperture 146 in the cassettes cover plate 14, the film strip 24 within the cassette has been processed. Advantageously, the cassettes pod 36 and cover plate 14, and the rod 132 have sharply contrasting colors. For instance, the pod 36 and plate 14 may be black and the rod yellow. It will thus be quickly apparent to the operator when the rod 132 within a particular cassette 10 i has been displaced to effect a rupturing of the pod 36 contained therein.

Editing of the developed film strip 24 can easily be effected. It is only necessary to draw a loop of the film strip 24 from the cassettes opening 18 and to remove sections therefrom or to splice sections thereinto as desired.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ALTERNATE EMBODIMENT An alternate embodiment of the means for effecting a displacement of the rod 132 within the cassette 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings. The same numerals primed are employed in those figures to denote parts of that embodiment which remain substantially unchanged from the embodiment illustrated in other figures of the drawings.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a cassette 10 is shown fully inserted into the cassette receiving chamber 154' of a processor-projector 152. In this particular unit 152, the cassette receiving chamber 154 is, in

part, formed by a support member 200, a portion 202 of which extends below the receiving chamber. Mounted from the inside face of the support member 200 and its extended portion 202 are a pair of spaced apart parallel guide members 204 and 206 between which another plate 208 is slideably disposed. A pair of rigid arms 210 and 212, which may be formed integrally with the plate 208, extend from that plate into parallel relationship therewith. Mounted on the plate 208 and extending in parallel relationship to, and intermediate of, the arms 210 and 212 is a rack 214. This rack 214 is engaged by a pinion 216 driven by a motor 218. A normally opened switch or button 220, accessible to the operator of the processor-projector unit 152, is connected in series with the motor 218 and a power source 222 of the processor-projector unit 152'. Also connected in series with the power source 222 and the motor 218 of the processor-projector unit 152 is a normally closed switch 224.

As shown in FIG. 8, a spring mounted button 226 is mounted through the processor-projector units top panel 168' so as to be in alignment with the finger portion 198 of the latch 196. This arrangement is identical to that mentioned but not illustrated in connection with the other embodiment of this invention. It permits the latch 196' to be selectively displaced out of the cassettes recess 192 to permit the telescoping container 184 to eject the cassette from the processorp'rojector unit 152. I

It will thus be appreciated that the cassette 10' may be inserted into the receiving chamber 154 of the processor-projector unit 152' free from interference with the arms 210 and 212 (see FIG. 8). In this arrangement, it is not necessary to overcome the force required to rupture the pod 36 during the cassette insertion process. During this insertion process, the section 188 of the telescoping container 184 is displaced into the containers section 186' against the force of the spring 190. When the cassette is fully inserted into the processor-projector unit 152', the latch 196' enters the cassettes recess 192 to restrain the cassette in that unit against the force of the spring 190.

By closing the switch 220, the operator may effect a rupturing of the pod 36'. In this connection, the pinion 216 attached to the motor 218 drives against the rack 214 so that the arms 210 and 212, which are mounted on the same plate 208 as the rack, are introduced into the cassette 10' through the openings 134' and 136', respectively, in the cassettes cover plate 14'. The arms 210 and 212 effect a displacement of the rod 132' across the pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40'. This embodiment also includes rollers (not shown) identical in form and function to rollers 176 and 180 described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention.

It will be noted that a pin 228 extends from the rear face of the plate 208 through an appropriate opening in the support plate 202 and is positioned on that plate 208 so as to trip the switch 224 at such time as the rod 132 has been displaced to its final position within the section 15 of the cassette 10. The uppermost position of the pin 228 is shown in phantom in FIG. 8 wherein the pin is designated 228'. When the switch 224 is tripped, the weight of the plate 208 and of the arms 210 and 212 and the rack 214 attached thereto automatically returns the plate 208 to its original position within the processor-projector unit 152 along guide members 204 and 206. When desired the operator may eject the cassette 10' from the processor-projector unit 152' by depressing the spring mounted button 226.

Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate the novel and highly unique advantages of this invention. Most importantly, a processing fluid containing pod and means for rupturing that pod are permanently housed under a cover plate which prevents premature accidental rupturing of the pod and permits an external force applying member to actuate the pod rupturing means.

The term projector is used herein in a comprehensive sense, i.e., to broadly refer to those systems wherein the visible images recorded on a sheet of material are re-imaged for viewing purposes and is not restricted to only those systems in which the recorded visible images are projected onto a screen of one type or another.

This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferred embodiments described herein are therefore illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

We claim:

1. Apparatus useful in processing a strip of exposed photographic material coiled in a film handling cassette, such cassette including a rupturable pod for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid and having a weakened portion adapted to rupture in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when a pressure is applied to the exterior of such pod, means for rupturing such pod and expelling such fluid therefrom including a substantially rigid member initially positioned adjacent an extremity of such pod spaced from such weakened portion of such pod and adapted to be subsequently displaced across such pod toward such weakened portion thereof, and means extending across said pod along the path said rigid member is adapted to be displaced for urging said rigid member against said pod during the displacement of said rigid member, such means for urging such rigid member against such pod comprising a flexible member adapted to deflect and press such rigid member against such pod during the displacement of such rigid member across such pod, said apparatus comprising:

first means for receiving such cassette;

second means for engaging such rigid member and displacing such rigid member across such pod; and

third means for restraining the deflection of such flexible member in a direction away from such pod as such rigid member is displaced across such pod.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third means is resilient.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said third means comprises a spring mounted roller.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second means comprises at least one arm and said third means is positioned adjacent the end of said arm adapted to engage such rigid member whereby said third means supports such flexible member on the opposite side thereof, and in the immediate vicinity of, such rigid member as such rigid member is displaced across such pod.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third means comprises aspring mounted roller and additionally comprising a second roller having a fixedly positioned axis of rotation in substantially parallel relationship to the axis of rotation of said spring mounted roller, said second roller engaging such cassette on the opposite side thereof from, and substantially in alignment with, said spring mounted roller at least during the deflection of such flexible member.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising fourth means for supporting such cassette during the deflection of such flexible member, said fourth means engaging such cassette on the opposite side thereof from, and substantially in alignment with, said third means.

7. A photographic processing unit for use with a film handling cassette, such cassette including an elongated strip of photographic material stored within such cassette, a support surface, a substantially flat rupturable pod of processing fluid seated against such support surface, such pod having a portion configured to release such fluid in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid when pressure is applied to the exterior of such pod, a housing defining the outside periphery of such cassette and including a flexible section overlying such pod on the opposite side thereof from such support surface and access means adjacent an extremity of such pod spaced from such portion of such pod through which externally mounted actuating means may be introduced into such housing, an applicator in communication with such portion of such pod so that such processing fluid is fed to such applicator from such pod when released therefrom, a substantially rigid member initially mounted internally of such housing adjacent such extremity of such pod spaced from such portion of such pod and arranged to be subsequently displaced across such pod towards such portion thereof intermediate such flexible section and such pod responsive to externally mounted actuating means being introduced into such cassette through such access means, such flexible section serving to urge such rigid member against such pod as it is displaced thereacross thereby expelling such fluid from such pod through such portion thereof, and means responsive to externally mounted drive means for progressively transporting such strip of material into operative relationship with such applicator, said processing unit including:

means for receiving such cassette;

actuating means, positioned and structured to enter such cassette through such access means, for effecting such displacement of such rigid member across such pod to expel] substantially all of such fluid therefrom;

means for limiting the amount of deflection of such flexible section during the displacement of such rigid member across such pod by said actuating means; and

drive means operable to drive such transporting means of such cassette after said actuating means has effected the expulsion of such fluid from such pod, whereby such strip of photographic material is transported in operative relationship to such applicator to form a coating of such fluid along such strip of photographic material.

2b 8. A photographic system comprising: a cassette including:

an elongated strip of photographic material stored within said cassette;

a support surface;

a substantially flat rupturable pod of processing fluid seated against said support surface, said pod having a portion configured to release said fluid in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in said fluid when pressure is applied to the exterior of said pod;

a housing defining the outside periphery of said cassette and including a flexible section overlying said pod on the opposite side thereof from said support surface and access means adjacent an extremity of said pod spaced from said portion of said pod and through which externally mounted actuating means may be introduced into said housing;

an applicator in communication with said portion of said pod so that said processing fluid is fed to said applicator from said pod when released therefrom; v

a substantially rigid member mounted internally of said housing initially located adjacent said extremity of said pod spaced from said portion of said pod and arranged to be subsequently displaced across said pod towards said portion thereof intermediate said flexible section and said pod responsive to externally mounted actuating means being introduced into said cassette through said access means, said flexible section serving to urge said rigid member against said pod as it is displaced thereacross thereby expelling said fluid from said pod through said portion thereof; and

means responsive to externally mounted drive means for progressively transporting said strip of material into operative relationship with said applicator; and

a processing unit including:

means for receiving said cassette;

actuating means, positioned and structured to enter said cassette through said access means, for effecting said displacement of said rigid member across said pod; and

drive means adapted to engage said transporting means of said cassette,

whereby said pod may be ruptured and said strip of photographic material transported in operative relationship to said applicator to form a coating of said fluid along said strip of photographic material.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said processing unit additionally includes means for limiting the amount of deflection of said flexible section during the displacement of said rigid member across said pod.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said cassette additionally includes a rib extending from said flexible section towards said support surface to initially bear against said container to displace said fluid in opposite directions away from said rib within said container without causing said fluid to be expelled from said container, said rib thereby initially engaging said container against said support surface with substantially no said fluid interposed between said rib and said support surface so that said flexible section effectively prevents premature release of said fluid from said container responsive to an external force bearing against said flexible section. 

1. Apparatus useful in processing a strip of exposed photographic material coiled in a film handling cassette, such cassette including a rupturable pod for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid and having a weakened portion adapted to rupture in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when a pressure is applied to the exterior of such pod, means for rupturing such pod and expelling such fluid therefrom including a substantially rigid member initially positioned adjacent an extremity of such pod spaced from such weakened portion of such pod and adapted to be subsequently displaced across such pod toward such weakened portion thereof, and means extending across said pod along the path said rigid member is adapted to be displaced for urging said rigid member against said pod during the displacement of said rigid member, such means for urging such rigid member against such pod comprising a flexible member adapted to deflect and press such rigid member against such pod during the displacement of such rigid member across such pod, said apparatus comprising: first means for receiving such cassette; second means for engaging such rigid member and displacing such rigid member across such pod; and third means for restraining the deflection of such flexible member in a direction away from such pod as such rigid member is displaced across such pod.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third means is resilient.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said third means comprises a spring mounted roller.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second means comprises at least one arm and said third means is positioned adjacent the end of said arm adapted to engage such rigid member whereby said third means supports such flexible member on the opposite side thereof, and in the immediate vicinity of, such rigid member as such rigid member is displaced across such pod.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third means comprises a spring mounted roller and additionally comprising a second roller having a fixedly positioned axis of rotation in substantially parallel relationship to the axis of rotation of said spring mounted roller, said second roller engaging such cassette on the opposite side thereof from, and substantially in alignment with, said spring mounted roller at least during the deflection of such flexible member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising fourth means for supporting such cassette during the deflection of such flexible member, said fourth means engaging such cassette on the opposite side thereof from, and substantially in alignment with, said third means.
 7. A photographic processing unit for use with a film handling cassette, such cassette including an elongated strip of photographic material stored within such cassette, a support surface, a substantially flat rupturable pod of processing fluid seated against such support surface, such pod having a portion configured to release such fluid in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in such fluid when pressure is applied to the exterior of such pod, a housing defining the outside periphery of such cassette and including a flexible section overlying such pod on the opposite side thereof from such support surface and access means adjacent an extremity of such pod spaced from such portion of such pod through which externally mounted actuating means may be introduced into such housing, an applicator in communication with such portion of such pod so that such processing fluid is fed to such applicator from such pod when released therefrom, a substantially rigid member initially mounted internally of such housing adjacent such extremity of such pod spaced from such portion of such pod and arranged to be subsequently displaced across such pod towards such portion thereof intermediate such flexible section and such pod responsive to externally mounted actuating means being introduced into such cassette through such access means, such flexible section serving to urge such rigid member against such pod as it is displaced thereacross thereby expelling such fluid from such pod through such portion thereof, and means responsive to externally mounted drive means for progressively transporting such strip of material into operative relationship with such applicator, said processing unit including: means for receiving such cassette; actuating means, positioned and structured to enter such cassette through such access means, for effecting such displacement of such rigid member across such pod to expell substantially all of such fluid therefrom; means for limiting the amount of deflection of such flexible section during the displacement of such rigid member across such pod by said actuating means; and drive means operable to drive such transporting means of such cassette after said actuating means has effected the expulsion of such fluid from such pod, whereby such strip of photographic material is transported in operative relationship to such applicator to form a coating of such fluid along such strip of photographic material.
 8. A photographic system comprising: a cassette including: an elongated strip of photographic material stored within said cassette; a support surface; a substantially flat rupturable pod of processing fluid seated against said support surface, said pod having a portion configured to release said fluid in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure being developed in said fluid when pressure is applied to the exterior of said pod; a housing defining the outside periphery of said cassette and including a flexible section overlying said pod on the opposite side thereof from said support surface and access means adjacent an extremity of said pod spaced from said portion of said pod and through which externally mounted actuating means may be introduced into said housing; an applicator iN communication with said portion of said pod so that said processing fluid is fed to said applicator from said pod when released therefrom; a substantially rigid member mounted internally of said housing initially located adjacent said extremity of said pod spaced from said portion of said pod and arranged to be subsequently displaced across said pod towards said portion thereof intermediate said flexible section and said pod responsive to externally mounted actuating means being introduced into said cassette through said access means, said flexible section serving to urge said rigid member against said pod as it is displaced thereacross thereby expelling said fluid from said pod through said portion thereof; and means responsive to externally mounted drive means for progressively transporting said strip of material into operative relationship with said applicator; and a processing unit including: means for receiving said cassette; actuating means, positioned and structured to enter said cassette through said access means, for effecting said displacement of said rigid member across said pod; and drive means adapted to engage said transporting means of said cassette, whereby said pod may be ruptured and said strip of photographic material transported in operative relationship to said applicator to form a coating of said fluid along said strip of photographic material.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein said processing unit additionally includes means for limiting the amount of deflection of said flexible section during the displacement of said rigid member across said pod.
 10. The system of claim 8 wherein said cassette additionally includes a rib extending from said flexible section towards said support surface to initially bear against said container to displace said fluid in opposite directions away from said rib within said container without causing said fluid to be expelled from said container, said rib thereby initially engaging said container against said support surface with substantially no said fluid interposed between said rib and said support surface so that said flexible section effectively prevents premature release of said fluid from said container responsive to an external force bearing against said flexible section. 